Question about the Awe Exhaust for 2013 B8.5 S4

[lovejeil]

Hello! I am currently driving B8.5 S4.

I installed Awe S-flo intake and Awe exhaust w resonated down pipe last Monday.

When I was driving my car w these modification, I felt little vibration noise from my back side. Moreover, When I drove it w low rpm in the mall, I was feeling like falpping noise.

drone comes up after 70miles running.

Should I re install it? fitment and other things are perfect! :(

I need you guys advice.

[DannyDeez]

Check the fitment again. My exhaust loosened up after about a week and completely shifted towards the rear and started making a banging noise. Sometimes it happens and you can't tell unless you look at it from underneath.

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2

[clericdc]

I had mine installed not long ago. I felt like pretty soon after, at very low speeds going over things like railroad tracks, i could hear some noises that sounded like the exhaust was shifting around a little. it sounded more like it creaking, rather than a banging or flapping.
not sure if others hear the same thing but i'll probably have it checked out eventually.

[bkkchris]

Sounds like it just needs adjusting. My last exhaust moved around after a week or two of the metal heating/cooling and started to rattle somewhere under the car - shop adjusted and was fine after that.

[well_armed]

This is what happens when the exhaust uses sleeves versus V-clamps.

Always check your stuff a few miles after install, stuff shifts around!

[mattchat]

Yup, mine shifted too. I had the originial installers force it toward the front of the car and they had to use some belt clamps to cinch it up temporarily while they re-tightened the clamps, it worked though and no vibrations, love the exhaust!!

[lovejeil]

I checked it today! Yes! you guys right! There are minor issues. We fixed it and now I am very happy to drive mine lol.
Thanks.

[Patrick Bateman]

cool...Hey, OP, please comment on the intake's interior cabin noise level versus stock? How much louder? Do people comment on the cabin noise when youre on the phone with them?
Oh, and is there much of any performance gain ,or did you do both mods same time? Anyone else care to chime in on this?

PB.

P.s. My awe moved around a bit too, but mostly due to installer error.

[well_armed]

It is barely noticeable, to the point where I couldn't really hear it unless everyone stopped breathing.

The soundkator on the other hand is VERY loud.

[dparm]

A lot of exhaust systems' instructions will actually tell you to install it, drive the car a bit, then adjust the clamps/bolts since it will "settle".

[scrofas5]

When getting the awe exhaust are you guys shutting off the soundaktor? Cause if you can't hear the exhaust cause the soundaktor is taking over, then there's no point of installing one? Or do you guys hear both the soundaktor and exh., how's the combo?

I'm about to pull the trigger on a nice awe, jus don't know if I should shut the soundaktor off. Can you even shut it off and how if so?

[well_armed]

You can hear it either way.

You can lower the volume if you have drive select, which comes with sport diff and driver assist packages. Comfort means quiet, dynamic is loud.

Exhaust is not just about sound, otherwise people would be installing 15" exhaust speakers in their cars.

[Patrick Bateman]

I agree with Well armed on the sound katar. I have mine in dynamic mostly, but in comfort, it is hardly noticable. I can still hear my AWE even set up in dynamic mode...esp when im "on it"
...otherwise i cant tell where the sounds coming from. Maybe ill pass on a intake for this car? seems like a bunch of money for a modded air box? ill likely do a smooth intake hose to the TB in lieu of the entire Intake if i pass.

PB.

[scrofas5]

You can hear it either way.

You can lower the volume if you have drive select, which comes with sport diff and driver assist packages. Comfort means quiet, dynamic is loud.

Exhaust is not just about sound, otherwise people would be installing 15" exhaust speakers in their cars.

have sport diff, and usually leave it on dynamic due to slightly tighter steering feel which i do prefer. Just dont want to have two different sounds happening at once. The awe exhaust yields 10 hp at best, so 2k$ for 10 hp isnt really a dollar for hp value here. advantages are mainly about sound whicch is what im after , with little added hp and larger exhaust tips coming in last out of the benefits.

i really like the soundaktor over the nothing. but just wanted to hear from you guys cause your running the setup already. exhaust isnt just about sound, but it is 80% of the reason why someone would buy an awe exh. for 2k$ , cause 10 crank hp and bigger tips aint much bang for buck. I'd jus rather hear all of my 2k's dollars worth of investment is all. Just prefer real sound i guess .

thank you for the feed back well armed:)

lastly, has anybody shut off the speaker?

[lovejeil]

I did both mods same time. I already ordered the parts before I picked up my car from dealer. :)
Anyway, You asked me about noise but I could describe that it is not a noise. It is sonorous sound. not that much noticeable. You could enjoy your music and phone call too.
I am not sure how different before I add up the s- flow intake and awe full exhaust because I am done these two modifications just on 60miles my car.

[Seinsmeld13]

I have the AWE with resonated downpipes on my 2013 S4 Stronic. I've only had my car for six days so I'm still experimenting with settings. I have my settings in individual all set at dynamic except the exhaust which is set at comfort. I found at highway speeds at 120 km/h there was unwanted drone when I had the exhaust set at dynamic. Now in comfort there is no pumped in sound therefore no drone. I had the AWE installed before I picked her up. I didn't drive a 2013 Stronic before purchase. I did however drive a manual 2013 and didn't really notice the exhaust at all. Anyway....

[Sjones630]

The owner's manual (page 259) shows which fuse is for the Sound Aktuator: it is number 5 of the left cockpit fuse box. It shows nothing else sharing the fuse. Pull it.

[well_armed]

Good to know, thanks!

[dparm]

I have the AWE with resonated downpipes on my 2013 S4 Stronic. I've only had my car for six days so I'm still experimenting with settings. I have my settings in individual all set at dynamic except the exhaust which is set at comfort. I found at highway speeds at 120 km/h there was unwanted drone when I had the exhaust set at dynamic. Now in comfort there is no pumped in sound therefore no drone. I had the AWE installed before I picked her up. I didn't drive a 2013 Stronic before purchase. I did however drive a manual 2013 and didn't really notice the exhaust at all. Anyway....

The gearing differences are why Stasis actually has a different version of the exhaust for S tronic cars -- too many complaints about drone. The S tronic version has a special downpipe.

[Todd/AWE]

I have the AWE with resonated downpipes on my 2013 S4 Stronic. I've only had my car for six days so I'm still experimenting with settings. I have my settings in individual all set at dynamic except the exhaust which is set at comfort. I found at highway speeds at 120 km/h there was unwanted drone when I had the exhaust set at dynamic. Now in comfort there is no pumped in sound therefore no drone. I had the AWE installed before I picked her up. I didn't drive a 2013 Stronic before purchase. I did however drive a manual 2013 and didn't really notice the exhaust at all. Anyway....


It is surprising how loud the "Soundaktor" is on the B8.5 when in dynamic mode. Very aggressive.

However, because the sound comes from the front of the car, it is more like intake noise than exhaust noise.

Plus, I don't find the tone of the Soundaktor very appealing, it is rough and a little strange sounding compared to a properly tuned exhaust.

And then there is the whole "poser" factor that I am coming to terms with: sounds aggressive inside the car, but put down your window, and the car sounds like a sewing machine to everyone else out there.

The realization that no one outside the car is hearing what you are hearing is like listening to a football game over headphones on a bus and jumping up in celebration when your team scores: no one has any idea what the hell you are so excited about, and it is a bit embarrassing.

[well_armed]

Good analogy. I rode in a fellow members car with intake/exhaust with DP's and the Sounkator made a big difference in how the cabin filled with unwanted "noise" during WOT pulls. Turn it off and the bi-directional sound of the AWE exhaust from the back, and the slight noise from the intake in the front, made more sense and made my brain happy. Turn on the soundkator, and prepare to be confused on what is actually going on, because exhaust noise never comes from the engine bay.

Exactly why I plan on pulling the fuse.

[scrofas5]

Good analogy. I rode in a fellow members car with intake/exhaust with DP's and the Sounkator made a big difference in how the cabin filled with unwanted "noise" during WOT pulls. Turn it off and the bi-directional sound of the AWE exhaust from the back, and the slight noise from the intake in the front, made more sense and made my brain happy. Turn on the soundkator, and prepare to be confused on what is actually going on, because exhaust noise never comes from the engine bay.

Exactly why I plan on pulling the fuse.

+1.... Too many sounds going on, rather listen to real sound with a real performance exhaust. It's embarrassing telling someone this nice sound is just a fake sound coming from a speaker in a car.. Fail

Where's this fuse box located exactly? . so I can pull the fuse out for the soundaktor

[well_armed]

drivers side
http://www.jeffcarnahan.com/photos/20101202-S4_Laser_Jammer/IMG_3121.JPG

[scrofas5]

Thnx well armed.

Wow those are a lot of number 5 fuses lol.... Which one to take out ? Or is that just a random b8 fuse box pic lol

[well_armed]

I think its listed on the back of the removed panel (not shown)

[Sjones630]

Wow those are a lot of number 5 fuses lol.... Which one to take out ? Or is that just a random b8 fuse box pic lol

The fives you are looking at are 5 amp fuses, there are probably several. If you consult the owners manual, page 258, you will find a picture of the fuse panels. There is a panel A, B, and C. It clearly shows the Sound Aktuator fuse as being the fifth fuse down from the top of panel A.

[thedollardoctor]

Good analogy. I rode in a fellow members car with intake/exhaust with DP's and the Sounkator made a big difference in how the cabin filled with unwanted "noise" during WOT pulls. Turn it off and the bi-directional sound of the AWE exhaust from the back, and the slight noise from the intake in the front, made more sense and made my brain happy. Turn on the soundkator, and prepare to be confused on what is actually going on, because exhaust noise never comes from the engine bay.

Exactly why I plan on pulling the fuse.

well_armed, did you end up doing this? What was the effect? I'm installing intake and AWE exhaust tomorrow and seriously considering pulling this fuse as well to have a more real experience with the sounds of my ride. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.